The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-10-29

durand's parlors are thronged with the best society of the town, and at her receptions the richest and most distinguished people are to be met. Being an engineer, Paul was invited. He never failed to attend, but he always remembered his place, while Messrs. Chapuis and de Vauvillain paraded in the first ranks, letting it be known that they were in love with Mile. Celeste. I believe, though, that they were only in love with her dowry. Each made up his mind to win the prize at any cost, and the conduct of both was in strict accordance with this determination. The strangest part of the whole proceedings was that neither attempted to get into the good graces of the young lady, who always treated them with marked coldness.
 Singular lovers, those."
 "They imagined that Mile. Celeste being good girl of very social dis position, she would always comply with her parents wishes. So they proceeded to lay siege to the old folks. M. Chapuis, by displaying an interest in M. Bondurand's affairs, had no trouble in winning him over, while M. de Vauvillain, by means of his nobility, and by putting on the airs of a great lord, succeeded in getting the mother to espouse his cause to such an extent that, in short time, she promised him her daughters hand, while, on the other side, her husband was making the same promise to his rival"
 And of course Mile. Celeste pro- tested?"
 "Not at all. She let things take their own course. It happened that she occasionally danced with Jacques Florent and had conversed with him in the parlor. The young engineers quiet, serious character and his easy, distinguished manners soon impressed her. One day he spoke of his mother, of her devotion to him, of the grati- tude and affection that he bore her. This proved to the young lady that his heart was in the right place. Jacques, on his side, felt himself more than interested in the beautiful and sweet girl that had so kindly paid attention to him, but as he knew her to be very rich, his demeanor was always so re- spectful that no word of love ever passed between them."
 And still -. :"
 fb Of course, everything had to come out all right in the end? Here is the natural winding up of the comedy. The first time that NJ. and Mime. Bon durand communicated to each other their designs in regard to their daugh- ter there was a terrible row. Just think. Monsieur wanted Chapuis for his son-in- law. Madame could not bear him; he was a baboon, a China man, miser; he was ugly, deformed ill- bred, badly dressed, unkempt and ridiculous. Madame wanted de Vau- villain, whom Monsieur held in holy horror. A snob, a taller, boaster, a booby, an ass; noble, it was true, but a wretched beggar who had to depend entirely on his situation."
 "They could not agree, them"
 "Ot course not. 'Vauvillain, never ? exclaimed NJ. Bondurand. 'Chapuis.' replied his wife, 'Pll die first P
 "lt was at this point that Mile Ce- leste took a hand in the game. She told her father that she loved NJ. Jacques Florent, that NJ. Florent loved her, that she would be his wife or else she would marry de Vauvil- lain. She said the same to her mother, only the conditions were: Jacques or Chapuis. Neither hesitated. In or der to get rid of the one each hated so much, both consented. The game was won.
 "Of course the engineer was expect ing affairs to take this turn?"
 "Not at all; but Mile. Celeste had been astute enough to foresee that there was no opposition to be dreaded from that quarter. She had her father to call on him, and need not say that the worthy young fellows surprise was as great as his joy. You can un- derstand that he accepted the offer eagerly, his only condition being that at the wedding, the place of honor would be given to his mother. You have seen, yourself, that his wish was granted.
 "Now, if you want to know why the whole town attended the we'd ding, must say it is because every body likes Jacques. And," added Father Philip, with cunning smile Eff l must tell all, you should remem- Der that we are in the country, and we have had nothing else to talk ot during the past three months. ."-F From the French of Paul Bel0n Translated for Me NeW OrieaaS Times Democrat PRINTERS INK. Tha Nor,i cfoxun XoroL} hoe hoa,,